Is the difference worth it?

R.moore80 · Feb 25, 2017

One is a "pro" model and is 80$ more than the other light? Is it that much better does anyone have this light? It's for my 10 gallon nano.

702 · Feb 25, 2017

neither is worth it IMO there is much better options on there.

Kevinsreefs · Feb 25, 2017

702 said:
neither is worth it IMO there is much better options on there.

I agree, much better options if that's the budget you're looking to spend on lights. SB Reef Lights or MarsAqua lights (Chinese sh*tboxes) are pretty decent lights for the price!!

azreeftank · Feb 25, 2017

What size tank you using it in? If you are getting one of the two Def get the Pro it is MUCH better than the other. I have the Pro on my 65 mixed reef and getting good growth. Again for the money it's fine if your not looking to spend $$$$.

Triggreef · Feb 25, 2017

Agreed marsaqua is 3 times the light for less. Literally. It's 3w leds v. 1w on the usa light.

R.moore80 · Feb 25, 2017

So my tank is only 10 gallons, 20 inches from end to end and I can't hang anything it has to mount to my rimmed tank

Okay okay so I found this

Not sure what any of that means.. but I'd it better than the base model USA light I mentioned earlier?

Frop · Feb 25, 2017

R.moore80 said:
One is a "pro" model and is 80$ more than the other light? Is it that much better does anyone have this light? It's for my 10 gallon nano.

Is it a fish only tank or are you adding coral?

The Chinese box Can put out some serious light... it's good for the price. This is when I bought one for my 10 gallon. I hated the spotlighting so I returned it and just spent more to get the Hydra. I figured I'd upgrade my tank in the future anyways.

If you are looking for a light imo you should search the reviews or Q/A for some kind of par values. I'm saying that because if you're going to spend $100+ might as well get a light you know is capable of delivering enough light.

R.moore80 · Feb 25, 2017

I already have a zoa, Goni, and I believe it's called a "sun coral" frag I put my finnex planted 24 on just to see the difference and my zoas just opened for the first time.. so a light is definitely something I want asap but 150$ is my ballpark budget
What par do corals need 0.o

Kevinsreefs · Feb 25, 2017

R.moore80 said:
I already have a zoa, Goni, and I believe it's called a "sun coral" frag I put my finnex planted 24 on just to see the difference and my zoas just opened for the first time.. so a light is definitely something I want asap but 150$ is my ballpark budget
What par do corals need 0.o

It all depends on what kind of coral. For a general and quick rundown there are 4 main types and like I said this is skimming the very very top (no pun intended).

NPS (Non photosynthetic): Sun corals, gorgonians etc. These don't have photosynthetic algae/bacteria living within them so they must eat particles to survive.

Soft Corals: mushrooms, GSP, zoas, leathers.
These will be your low range light corals where they require the least demanding of lights. Some people even grow them under fluorescent bulbs (not recommended). Typically on the bottom half of the tank

LPS: Euphyllia, Acans, hard skeleton with fleshy meat.
These will require moderate light but dependent on the lighting system you use. Mid to upper part of the tank.

SPS: Montis, acros, anything that looks like hard deer antler shaped corals.
These will be the most demanding when it comes to lights and water parameters (for the most part) and will usually be situated in high light and high flow.

Like I said, this is a VERY VERY basic overview. It's best to start corals off with a lower amount of light and slowly acclimate them to a higher/more intense light. Flow and water parameters are also key so it's not just about lighting. However, lighting plays a big role.

Kevinsreefs · Feb 25, 2017

R.moore80 said:
I already have a zoa, Goni, and I believe it's called a "sun coral" frag I put my finnex planted 24 on just to see the difference and my zoas just opened for the first time.. so a light is definitely something I want asap but 150$ is my ballpark budget
What par do corals need 0.o

Also, there isn't a DEFINITIVE amount of lights each coral will need. Each system is different as well as each coral so it's hard to put a label on the exact PAR. Maybe someone else can help out? I haven't ever tested PAR, instead put the coral generally where you think it will be happy, it will let you know. Move it around a little!

R.moore80 · Feb 25, 2017

That's the best description I've had yet! I'm definitely intrigued by soft ant LPS

Kevinsreefs · Feb 25, 2017

R.moore80 said:
That's the best description I've had yet! I'm definitely intrigued by soft ant LPS

Like I said, I barely scratched the surface. A lot of other variables come into play! For example I have low light mushrooms that hypothetically should be in (you guessed it...) low light! But I have them at the top of my tank where SPS are located because I didn't have room for the mushroom colony in the lower half of the tank. Within a few weeks, I slowly acclimated them to higher lighting and they are doing great!

So just to reiterate, corals can acclimate to different parameters as long as they aren't too crazy and as long as it's done slowly!

(Now that doesn't mean try to acclimate SPS to the bottom end of the tank where they have no light) but you get what I mean!

Here are those mushrooms (Yuma's) in case you guys were wondering!

R.moore80 · Feb 25, 2017

That looks insane!

mcarroll · Feb 25, 2017

The Pro for sure.....should work well! :)

Leadfooted · Feb 25, 2017

R.moore80 said:
One is a "pro" model and is 80$ more than the other light? Is it that much better does anyone have this light? It's for my 10 gallon nano.

For what it's worth, I started with the Orbit (not pro) in my 90g. I do with I got the pro to start because of the red's they have. My regular orbit does great for hammers, acan/micormussa, blasto's, shrooms, star polyps and towards to top I managed to grow a very nice acro that's getting good current. Ive since added 2 t5's but for a start, the orbit preformed pretty dang good for a few years for me.

The only Downside I always had was the custom settings that always reset (frustrating). I finally gave up and just use the reef pre-set setting and my corals adjusted just fine.

saltyfilmfolks · Feb 25, 2017

R.moore80 said:
One is a "pro" model and is 80$ more than the other light? Is it that much better does anyone have this light? It's for my 10 gallon nano.

IMO, that add is misleading. when doing my search on them some used "pro" to describe the Pro controller, some are referring to the led head. The Pro head should have lenses(circles on the led) the standard wont(squre led)
Buy the cheaper one Its a very good light, esp for a shallower thank. It has plenty of par. The par specs listed are very close to real life meter readings..

The difficulty most have had with theses light is is the non lense don't penetrate deeply..

mcarroll · Feb 25, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
Buy the cheaper one Its a very good light, esp for a shallower thank. It has plenty of par. The par specs listed are very close to real life meter readings..

The difficulty most have had with theses light is is the non lense don't penetrate deeply..

+1

(sorry I missed that this was for a 10G!)